Unfamiliar

This body of work follows on from 'Industrialism in rural spaces' but explores my own relationship with the land and my unfamiliarity with the boglands of Ireland. Having routed through archival resources and listened to people talk about their experiences on the bog I came away yearning to have my own experience. I recognise the bog as a site of rich Irish history heritage and culture, so I struggle with my lack of personal experience with it as it makes me feel 'less Irish'. By visiting these sites I am exploring what this means and how this land has allowed me to feel more connected to my history and culture through expanding my knowledge about the land. However, this feeling of unfamiliarity and unease lingers during these visits as it feels as though I am trespassing in a space that is not mine. I am interacting with drawing, painting and photographical processes to explore how the remnants of marks on the land and my own experience in this space connect me to the past and traditional ideals of Irish identity.